Transgression – a concept defined as conduct that breaks rules or exceeds boundaries – is a key idea for sociologists, anthropologists and cultural theorists, and is a major feature of postmodern thought.

Providing an inter-disciplinary base to the notion of transgression, this four-volume set includes a history of ideas, a résumé of the major contributory theorists, and a thematic discussion of the significant moments and substantive concerns of these various debates. A general introduction by the editor reviews theoretical perspectives and puts forward a rationale for the collection itself.